Shrub rose plant named `Ausky`

ABSTRACT

A shrub rose plant having no observed disease susceptibility; excellent repeat flowering; attractive; strong pink, small flowers held in large bunches; and attractive shrubby growth.

The present invention relates to a new and distinct variety of shrubrose plant of the Rosa hybrida class which was originated by me bycrossing two existing varieties, Martin Frobisher, unpatented, and BlushNoisette, unpatented.

The primary objective of this breeding was to produce a new shrub rosevariety having the extreme disease resistance of Martin Frobisher withthe very excellent repeat flowering qualities of Blush Noisette. Theobjective was substantially achieved, along with other desirableimprovements, as evidenced by the following unique combination ofcharacteristics that are outstanding in the new variety and thatdistinguish it from its parents, as well as from all other varieties ofwhich I am aware:

1. No observed disease susceptibility;

2. Excellent repeat flowering;

3. Attractive strong pink, small flowers held in large bunches;

4. Attractive shrubby growth.

Asexual reproduction of this new variety by budding, as performed atAlbrighton, Wolverhampton, England, shows that the foregoing and allother characteristics and distinctions come true to form and areestablished and transmitted through succeeding propagations.

The accompanying illustration shows typical specimens of the vegetativegrowth and flowers of this new variety in different stages ofdevelopment, depicted in color as nearly true as it is reasonablypossible to make the same in a color illustration of this character.

The following is a detailed description of my new rose cultivar withcolor descriptions using terminology in accordance with The RoyalHorticultural Society (London) Colour Chart, except where ordinarydictionary significance of color is indicated.

Parentage:

Seed parent.--Martin Frobisher.

Pollen parent.--Blush Noisette.

Classification:

Botanical.--Rosa hybrida.

Commercial.--Shrub.

FLOWER

Observations made from specimens grown in a garden environment atAlbrighton, Wolverhampton, England in July 1993.

Blooming habit: Recurrent.

Bud:

Size.--0.75 inches long when the petals start to unfurl.

Form.--The bud form is short, pointed ovoid, fairly broad based.

Color.--When sepals first divide, bud color is Red Group 53C/D. Whenhalf blown, the upper sides of the petals are Red-Purple Group 61B/C/D;and the lower sides of the petals are Red-Purple Group 58C/D.

Sepals.--Color: Yellow-Green Group 144A/B with overlying blush ofGreyed-Red Group 182A. Surface texture: Smooth, slightly leathery. Thereare five unappendaged sepals with slightly hairy edges.

Receptacle.--Color: Yellow-Green Group 144A with an overlying blush ofGreyed-Red Group 182A. Shape: Goblet. Size: Small, 0.25 inches×0.20inches. Surface: Smooth.

Peduncle.--Length: Variable, medium, averaging about 1.5 inches.Surface: Smooth. Color: Light green; bronzy. Strength: Erect; slender.

Bloom:

Size.--Small. Average open size is 2 inches.

Borne.--Several together and in clusters of up to 25 small flowers. Ifin clusters: Irregular shape.

Stems.--Medium, short, normal strength.

Form.--When first open: High centered. Permanence: Outer petals curlback, all petals curl.

Petalage.--Number of petals under normal conditions: 90-100.

Color.--The upper sides of the petals overall give the appearance ofRed-Purple Group 62B/C, the inner petals being darker (Red-Purple Group58C) than the outer petals (Red-Purple Group 62C/D). The reverse sidesof the petals are Red-Purple Group 65B. The base of each petal is whitewith pale, Yellow Group 4D midline. The major color on the upper sidesis Red-Purple Group 62B.

Variegations.--None.

Discolorations.--The general tonality at the end of the first day: Paleto Red-Purple Group 69A and Red-Purple Group 65B. At the end of thethird day: Red-Purple Group 69B.

Fragrance.--Very slight.

Petals:

Textures.--Thin.

Shape.--Inner are oval; outer are notched, deltoid, heart shaped.

Arrangement.--Informal, with a few, small petaloids in the center.

Persistence.--Petals drop off fairly cleanly before drying.

Lastingness.--On the plant: Fair, about 3 to 5 days. As a cut flower:Not tested.

Reproductive parts:

Anthers.--Size: Medium. Quantity: Many. Color: Yellow. Arrangement:Tucked in calyx or partly so, mixed with petaloids.

Filaments.--Color: White.

Pollen.--Color: Pale gold yellow.

Styles.--Color: Pale green.

Stigmas.--Color: Greenish white.

Form: Bush, shrub.

Growth: Vigorous, upright, branching, fairly compact. Mature plant isabout one foot in height and 2.5 feet in width.

Foliage:

Number of leaflets on normal mid-stem leaves.--7.

Size.--5 to 6 inches long×3.5 to 4.0 inches wide.

Quantity.--Abundant, normal.

Color.--New foliage: Upper side: Group 146B. Lower side: Yellow-Green146C. Old foliage: Yellow-Green Group 146A. Lower side: Yellow-Green146B.

Leaflets:

Shape.--Pointed oval, elliptic.

Texture.--Upper side: Leathery, fairly smooth.

Edge.--Serrated.

Serration.--Single, small.

Petiole, rachis.--Color: Reddish.

Petiole underside.--Rough, with prickles, 1-2 per internode.

Stipules.--Medium, serrated, about 0.8 inch long.

Disease resistance.--No observed susceptibility to mildew and blackspotunder normal growing conditions at Albrighton, Wolverhampton, England.

Wood:

New wood.--Color: Reddish Greyed Purple Group 183A. Bark: Smooth.

Old wood.--Color: Green (Yellow-Green Group 146A). Bark: Fairly smooth.

Prickles:

Quantity.--On lower part of main canes from base: Ordinary, few. Onlaterals from main canes: Few.

Form.--Medium to short, straight or very slightly hooked downward.

Color when Young.--Green at the point and red at the base.

Position.--On lower nodes.

Small Prickles:

Quantity.--On main stalks: Very few. On laterals: Very few.

Color.--Grey-Brown Group 199C.

I claim:
 1. A new and distinct variety of shrub rose plant of the Rosahybrida class, substantially as herein shown and described,characterized particularly as to novelty by the unique combination ofits extreme disease resistance; excellent repeat flowering; attractivestrong pink, small flowers held in large bunches; and attractive shrubbygrowth.